Q&A: Missouri signee, DE Marcus Loud

Wheatley's Marcus Loud had difficulty with his decision before deciding to sign with Missouri. (Mayra Beltran/Chronicle)

Marcus Loud, Wheatley defensive end

How long have you been dreaming and thinking about this day?

It’s been a long process. At first, I tried to take it on by myself, but it got too much for me so I got with my coaches, sat down and talked to them. And ever since we talked, it’s been just blowing right past really easy.

How would you describe recruiting?

If you try to be like me and try to take it on by yourself, it’s hectic. It’s very hectic. But once you get help from your coaches and family, you can ask other people about it and get more people involved in helping you that you really trust, everything comes easy like eating.

So when did it became too much?

When every choice I made had a backfire on it. All the coaches started pouring in and more people started coming and talking to me. It got too hectic. New coaches were coming and talking to me – different coaches. I couldn’t get my fingers on it, so I sat down and talked to my coaches. When my position coach came from Missouri and we built that relationship, it was easy pickings right there.

Relationships matter then, right?

When you build a relationship with a coach, that’s basically the key part in recruiting. Once you get that, it’s like one of your very own relationships with your family members. When it gets that tight, you’re just not going to let it go.

What else did it for you?

SEC life. For real – SEC life. I felt like I could fit in and I felt like I had a very fair chance to get in playing as a freshman. If I get redshirted, I’m still going to work hard. No matter what.

So the SEC carries that much weight?

Oh man – SEC if the life. And I’m a defensive player myself, and that’s a defensive conference.

What does you signing say to the next group?

Hard work pays off.

When did you really think you could do this?

Eighth grade I was still trying to figure it what sports I wanted to do. But in ninth grade, it hit me and when I started playing football, I grew fond of the people. The love the game is there and I felt that if I worked hard enough, I could do something better for me and my family. That’s when it hit me.